Alcohol Detox Programs: Do They Stop Alcohol Withdrawal?
 

What is Alcohol Detox?
The definition of alcohol detox is described as: “A treatment for addiction to alcohol intended to rid the body of the addictive substances, and the physiological and mental readjustment that accompanies the process.” This definition refers to the physical withdrawal symptoms of alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcoholism or alcohol addiction, as well as, the psychological symptoms.
What is Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal occurs when a person’s body becomes dependant upon alcohol and the consumption of alcohol is discontinued. The intensity and severity of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms due to the discontinuation of alcohol depend upon the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include sweating, rapid pulse, increased hand tremors, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, physical agitation, anxiety, auditory hallucinations, and the possibility of grand mal seizures. These physical and emotional symptoms may be extremely severe depending on the individual’s alcohol abuse history. For this reason alcohol withdrawal should be managed in an alcohol detox program. If a person is alcohol dependent, alcohol withdrawal symptoms will always occur, but an alcohol detox program can greatly minimize alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
What is an Alcohol Detox Program?
An alcohol detox program is generally located in a medically monitored inpatient alcohol treatment facility. The alcohol detox program comes equipped with 24 hour nursing and medical supervision. The main goal of an alcohol detox program is to safely assist the patient through the alcohol withdrawal period. This is accomplished through the dispensing of appropriate detox medications, counseling, good food and plenty of rest.
An effective alcohol detox program will be able to manage accompanying medical problems resulting from alcoholism and alcohol abuse.